A HIGH street store is to give work experience to 600 homeless and disadvantaged people.

Marks and Spencer is offering two to four weeks of work at its Church Street store in Liverpool city centre.

Called Marks and Start, it means a chance for people who would normally struggle to get a job find employment.

The placements are being offered to school children, including those from deprived areas, disabled people, parents returning to work, the young unemployed, the homeless and students who are the first in their family to go to university.

The company says with similar schemes in the past 30pc of participants have found employment either with M&S or other businesses.

Work experience staff will be assigned a "buddy" to help them settle in.

As well as shop work the scheme, which is nationwide, will give experience in the company's offices.

Across the UK M&S is aiming to take 10,000 disadvantaged people on as work experience staff over the next three years.

Luc Vandevelde, chairman, said: "Marks & Start will open the door to employment for thousands of people who face particular challenges getting a job.

"We've already offered many placements to the homeless and we know that practical work experience and being part of a team can boost an individuals self-esteem and their ability to find employment.

"Around 1,000 of our employees will be involved in Marks & Start every year.

"Being a mentor to someone who's homeless, unemployed or has disabilities can be both challenging and motivating and the experience will develop the skills of our own people.